Optimizing Remote Sensing and GIS Tools for Mapping and Managing the Distribution of an Invasive Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on South Molokai,Hawaii

In 1902, the Florida red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., was introduced to the island of Molokai, Hawaii, and has since colonized nearly 25% of the south coast shoreline. By classifying three kinds of remote sensing imagery, we compared abilities to detect invasive mangrove distributions and to discriminate mangroves from surrounding terrestrial vegetation. Using three analytical techniques, we compared mangrove mapping accuracy for various sensor-technique combinations. ANOVA of accuracy assessments demonstrated significant differences among techniques, but no significant differences among the three sensors. We summarize advantages and disadvantages of each sensor and technique for mapping mangrove distributions in tropical coastal environments.     

An economic valuation of the Namibian recreational shore-angling fishery

A roving creel survey of recreational shore-anglers in Namibia was used to determine catch and effort of line-fishing. A stratified sample of 240 anglers was surveyed to determine expenditures. Results showed that, between October 1996 and September 1997, some 8 800 anglers spent around 173 000 days angling and had direct expenditures of N$29.7 million. In all, 93% of angling took place in the West Coast Recreational Area. Some 44% of anglers were foreign visitors who contributed 55% of the expenditures. Value added to gross national income within the shore-angling fishery was N$14 million, equivalent to 3.6% of the value of the whole fisheries sector. The expenditures ultimately amounted (through a multiplier) to a gross national income of N$3 069 per angler, or N$27 million in aggregate. These amounts could be sustainable if policies to reduce fish mortality without affecting angler numbers are implemented.     

Assessment and management of Cape horse mackerel Trachurus capensis off Namibia based on a fleet-disaggregated age-structured production model

The Cape horse mackerel stock off Namibia is assessed using a fleet-disaggregated age-structured production model including historical International Commission for the Southeast Atlantic Fisheries (ICSEAF) and current data. Data from acoustic biomass surveys, on commercial catch per unit effort and on commercial catch-at-age, were used to estimate current stock status over a range of model specifications. A management tool, the so-called management monitor graph, was introduced in order to track past management relative to stock status. Target, limit and precautionary reference points, decision rules and harvesting strategies, according to which the stock should be managed, are described and tested. The target reference point was set at maximum sustainable yield (MSY), the precautionary reference point at 80% of MSY and the limit reference point at 30% of MSY. Owing to some inconsistencies in the dataseries, evaluation of the current state of the resource is challenging, but estimates are that the resource is around the MSY level, somewhere between 250 000 and 300 000 t.     

Optimisation of underwater visual census and controlled angling methods for monitoring subtidal temperate reef fish communities

Standardised sampling protocols for monitoring fish stocks are essential to assess changes in stock status and provide a means to evaluate the effectiveness of fisheries management measures, such as marine protected areas (MPAs). This study aimed to optimise two standard sampling methods, namely underwater visual census (UVC) and controlled angling, for assessing subtidal reef fish communities. In terms of efficiency, variability and bias, UVC transects were found to be superior to point counts. For controlled angling, an effort of two angler-hours per fishing station provided low catch variability, high catch per unit effort and a representative catch. Whereas UVC provided less variable estimates of relative density, controlled angling provided greater sampling efficiency. It is thus recommended that the two methods be used in conjunction. The optimal sampling protocols identified are suitable for rapid assessments or long-term monitoring of subtidal, temperate reef fish communities.     

Macrophyte management: An integrated perspective

A concept of aquatic macrophyte management that integrates the positive and negative aspects of vegetation in lakes and rivers is discussed. This integrated approach involves three factors: macrophyte control, macrophyte enhancement, and identification and resolution of the conflicts created by multiple use of a waterbody. The primary decision in macrophyte management programmes must be whether to optimise for single‐purpose or for multipurpose use of the waterbody. Both technical (macrophyte control and enhancement) and social (conflict resolution) procedures are required to solve problems associated with the macrophyte status of multipurpose waterbodies.     

A voluntary reduction in the commercial catch of rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in a New Zealand fishery

We describe the development and application of a management procedure (decision rule) that resulted in a voluntary reduction in the commercial catch of spiny rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in the lower east coast of North Island of New Zealand. The management procedure was developed from an accepted assessment of the CRA 4 (Wellington‐Hawke's Bay) fishery, which used an integrated length‐based assessment model fitted to commercial fishery catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) biomass indices, commercial length‐frequency data, and tag‐recapture data. The assessment model had been Bayesian, and used the joint posterior distribution of parameters to predict the effect of 384 alternative harvest control rules on the future size of the CRA 4 stock. The harvest control rules all used CPUE as their input, and generated annual changes in catch, which were then simulated by the population dynamics of the operating model. Uncertainty was added to evaluations through observation error, added to the simulated CPUE observations, and stochastic serial auto‐correlation variation in recruitment. We describe how this management procedure was used to effect a voluntary reduction in catch to address the problem of a rapidly declining population.     

基于GRACE卫星测量得到的中国及其周边地区陆地水量变化

GRACE卫星成功开辟了空间大地测量对地观测的新途径。利用GRACE卫星得到的时变地球重力资料,分析估计了中国及其周边地区陆地水量的变化趋势,较为清晰地揭示了该地区季节性变化特征。进一步采用13点滑动平均的方法扣除了季节性变化,提取了4个特征区域(喜马拉雅南部,新疆与西藏及其周边的亚洲高山区域,中国华北、东北地区和中国南部地区)的陆地水量变化特征信息,这4个区域陆地水量的变化趋势分别为-12.7±0.7、-60.4±2.7、-12.5±0.5和6.6±0.9 km³/a。其中：喜马拉雅南部和亚洲高山区域陆地水量呈现明显的衰减趋势,与Matsuo和Heki模拟冰川质量损失源得到的结果较为一致;但近10年来亚洲高山区域西北部冰川加速融化趋势并不明显。中国华北、东北地区和南部地区水量变化比较复杂,具不稳定的变化趋势。     

贝叶斯网络在水资源管理中的应用

为了解决水资源管理中具有不确定性的多目标决策问题,将贝叶斯网络方法引入水资源管理中。通过对实例系统中变量间相互关系的分析,构建描述变量间不确定性关系的贝叶斯网络模型,其中包括表示其依赖关系的有向无环图和表示其具体概率依赖程度的条件概率表,并在6个目标变量均达到预期目标的前提下进行概率推理。实例结果表明：当补偿款数额增加到500元/亩时,所有的目标变量均可达到最优,因此确定出政府应给农民补偿款的数额为500元/亩的合理水资源决策方案。贝叶斯网络以图模型的方式直观地表达了实例系统中变量之间的不确定性关系,概率推理的结果兼顾了环境效益以及农民的利益,使多个预期目标均达到了最优,有效地解决了水资源管理中具有不确定性的多目标决策问题。     

灾害学定义之下的土壤盐碱化风险评价

为改善灌区中低产地的产量、提高其田间管理及粮食综合生产能力、防止土壤盐碱化灾害的扩展,在土壤盐碱化灾害学研究的基础上,建立了土壤盐碱化灾害风险评价指标体系。选用基于熵权的灰色关联评价方法来构建土壤盐碱化灾害风险评价模型,根据标准自然灾害风险原理,建立土壤盐碱化灾害风险指数计算模型。在松原灌区土壤盐碱化灾害风险评价中的应用表明,灌区各灌片盐碱灾害风险值为0.10～0.36,属于中度风险和重度风险区,风险值由小到大排序为：前郭片、安字片、有字片、龙海片、水字片、大布苏片、潜字片、套浩太片、戎字片、红星片、洪字片。该模型与灌区实情符合较好,客观性较强,表明所建模型可用于土壤盐碱化灾害风险评价。     

河西内陆河径流对气候变化的响应及其流域适应性水资源管理研究

为探讨河西地区内陆河径流对气候变化的响应, 选取1955-2008年石羊河、黑河和疏勒河的河流流量资料进行计算和分析. 结果表明: 50多年来, 石羊河年径流总体呈明显下降趋势, 黑河呈略有增加趋势, 疏勒河呈明显增加趋势, 地域上呈现愈往西部的河流年径流量增加愈明显. 三大河流进入1990年代后有下降趋势, 进入21世纪均有明显增多趋势. 三大河流径流对气候变化有不同响应, 石羊河流域主要受季风气候影响, 气候变暖, 蒸发加剧, 水分散失量大, 是造成径流减少的主要原因;黑河和疏勒河流域主要受西风带环流影响, 径流增多的重要原因是气候变暖降水明显增多. 为减缓气候变化对流域水资源利用的不利影响, 在分析三大内陆河流量对气候变化响应特征的基础上, 提出了适应性水资源管理的建议. 建议应提高水资源利用效率;改变生产方式, 调整农业种植业结构与布局;加大祁连山自然保护区建设, 搞好水资源可持续利用;积极开发祁连山丰富的空中云水资源、哺育祁连山冰川等流域适应性水资源管理对策, 对流域进行综合治理与开发利用, 这些措施和对策将为流域水资源开发提供科学依据.